Nitrogen triiodide

Nitrogen triiodide, also called nitrogen iodide, is a highly explosive compound of nitrogen and iodine, NI₃. It explodes with a gunpowder-like snap when touched by even a feather, releasing a volatile cloud of iodine vapour. This occurs via the reaction

2NI₃ (s) -> N₂ (g) + 3I₂ (s)

It should be handled very carefully, if at all. It synthesis is achieved by the reaction of iodine with ammonia, NH₃. The aqueous solution is nowhere nearly as explosive as the dry powder. External Links

• See the explosion (requires the Quicktime plugin) (http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/CCA0/MOVIES/NI3IOD)
• Nitrogen Tri-Iodide - explains why the compound is explosive (http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/ni3/ni3j.htm)